Mangifera plant named ‘301215THOM’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Mangifera  cultivar named ‘301215THOM’ is disclosed, characterized by a unique tolerance for cold and resistance to fungal diseases. Fruit has typically bright gold skin with a bright red blush and juicy with very little fiber. The new variety is a  Mangifera , suitable for the production of fruit.

Latin name of the genus and species: Mangifera indica.

Variety denomination: ‘301215THOM’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Mangifera cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Tim Thompson, in Camarillo, Calif. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Mangifera indica varieties with greater resistance to diseases and cold temperatures. The open pollination resulting in this new variety occurred during 1996.

The seed parent is unknown, as the inventor bulk collected seed as part of an open pollination breeding program consisting of several potential seed and pollen parents, all of which are Mangifera indica varieties. The new variety resulted from seed planted in 1996. The inventor observed the seedlings during several seasons, and made a final selection of ‘301215THOM’ during 2009 at a non-commercial nursery in Camarillo, Calif.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was performed by grafting vegetative cuttings onto Mangifera indica ‘Turpentine’, (not patented). This was first performed at a commercial nursery in Ventura County, Calif. in April of 2013 and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘301215THOM’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘301215THOM’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘301215THOM’ as a new and distinct Mangifera cultivar:

-   1. Good adaptation to Southern California growing conditions. -   2. Tolerance for cold to approximately 28° F. to 30° F. -   3. Resistance to powdery mildew. -   4. Brilliant gold colored skin of the fruit, with a bright red     blush.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

As the actual parents are unidentifiable, the inventor is unable to make any comparison.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘301215THOM’ are comparable to the variety Mangifera ‘Kent’, unpatented. The two Mangifera indica varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, plants of the new variety ‘301215THOM’ differ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new variety can survive cold temperatures that         would damage or kill similar aged plants of ‘Kent’.     -   2. Blossoms of the new variety are less susceptible to powdery         mildew than those of ‘Kent’.     -   3. The new variety reliably produces a fruiting crop in Southern         California, whereas plants of ‘Kent’ are not known to reliably         produce fruit under the same environmental conditions.     -   4. Skin color of fruit of the new variety is typically bright         gold, whereas skin color of fruit of the variety ‘Kent’ is green         with some blush.     -   5. When grown in shaded conditions, the fruit skin color of         ‘Kent is green, whereas ‘301215THOM’ produces a fruit with a         bright red blush when grown under the shaded canopy of the tree.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘301215THOM’ are comparable to the variety Mangifera ‘Haden’, unpatented. The two Mangifera indica varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, plants of the new variety ‘301215THOM’ differ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new variety can survive cold temperatures that         would damage or kill similar aged plants of ‘Haden’.     -   2. Blossoms of the new variety are less susceptible to powdery         mildew than those of ‘Haden’.     -   3. The new variety reliably produces a fruiting crop in Southern         California, whereas plants of ‘Haden’ do not reliably produce         fruit under the same environmental conditions. ‘Haden’ is         typically grown under South Florida conditions.     -   4. Fruit shape of the new variety is more elongated than fruit         shape of ‘Haden’.     -   5. The variety ‘Haden’ is known to have significant         susceptibility to fungal diseases. The new variety is         significantly more tolerant of fungal diseases than ‘Haden’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘301215THOM’ are comparable to the variety Mangifera ‘302216THOM’, application Ser. No. 14/757,211. The two Mangifera indica varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, plants of the new variety ‘301215THOM’ produce less inflorescence per tree, on average 60 compared to 100 to 150. Additionally, ‘301215THOM’ produces fruit with different characteristics, as follows:

-   -   1. Fruit of ‘301215THOM’ have an elongated, oval shape, with an         average length of 16 cm and diameter of 8 cm; fruit of this         comparator are heart-shaped, having an average length of 15 cm         and diameter near 5 cm.     -   2. The stalk cavity of ‘301215THOM’ is slightly recessed; stalk         cavity of this comparator is nearly flat.     -   3. Base color of the fruit skin of ‘301215THOM’ is Yellow-Orange         23A and 23B, blush color is near Red 42A. This comparator color         is Yellow 13B and 13C with mottling Orange 26B. Blush color of         this comparator is Orange-Red N34C.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘301215THOM’ are comparable to the variety Mangifera ‘201230THOM’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,080. The two Mangifera indica varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, plants of the new variety ‘301215THOM’ produce fruit with different characteristics, as follows:

-   -   1. Fruit of ‘301215THOM’ are larger, having an average length of         16 cm and diameter of 8 cm; fruit of this comparator on average         13 cm in length and 6 cm in diameter.     -   2. The average weight range of fruit produced by ‘301215THOM’ is         16 to 20 oz, average weight range for fruit of this comparator         is 12 to 16 oz.     -   3. Base color of the fruit skin of ‘301215THOM’ is Yellow-Orange         23A and 23B, blush color is near Red 42A. Fruit of this         comparator are 80 to 90% red, RHS 53C and 53D, with a minor         secondary color near Orange-Red 33B.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in: FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical fruit of ‘301215THOM’ produced in Southern California.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘301215THOM’ plants grown outdoors in Camarillo, Calif.

During the Summer months of June, July and August, the average daily high temperature is approximately 85° F. During Spring and Fall months, the daily high temperature averages about 70° F. During the Winter months of December, January, February and the first half of March the average high temperature is about 60° F. During rainy or stormy weather the daily high is about 50° F.

During the Summer months of June, July and August, the average night time temperature is about 60° F. During the Spring and Fall months, the average night time low is about 50° F. During the Winter months of December, January, February and the first half of March, the night time temperature lows range between 35° F. to 40° F. After a Winter storm moves through the area, the night time low temperature has been recorded at between 26° F. to 30° F. at the growing location during the past 30 years.

The long term precipitation records have averaged 49 cm per year in the growing area. During most of the year, the area has bright, sunny weather with brief periods during the Spring and Fall months of foggy weather. The soil is a sandy loam with good drainage. Fertilizer is a minimal, low rate, balanced organic mix. No pesticides or fungicides have been used. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Mangifera indica ‘301215THOM’.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 18 years. -   Vigor: This mango variety exhibits good vigor with strong support     branches and supports a heavy mango crop. -   Approximate growth rate: 90 to 120 cm of new growth per year,     depending on the Summer growing season's weather. -   Quantity of growth flushes per year: 90 to 120 cm good growth     flushes per year depending on the year's weather. -   Mean length of new shoot growth: The growth flushes vary in length     in association with the weather. Spring flush shoots will be about     30 to 35 cm in length. During the warm Summer months the new growth     flushes will be from 41×61 cm in length. -   Height and spread: 18 years old tree is approximately 3 meters tall     and to 2 meters wide. -   Trunk circumference: Approximately 11 cm at the base. -   Trunk color: Near RHS Greyed-Green 198 C and 198A. -   Trunk texture: Rough at the base, with bark ridged approximately 2     cm deep. Gradually becoming mainly smooth at upper trunk. Upper     trunk with minor vertical ridges.

BRANCHES

-   Branch diameter at the base: Approximately 8 to 12 cm. -   Branch length: Approximately 100 to 130 cm. -   Branch texture: Primary branches and scaffold branches mainly     smooth. -   Branch color: Near RHS Grey 201A, 201B and 201C. -   Lenticels: Not observed.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Quantity per branch.—Typically 20 to 30.         -   Average leaf length.—Average range 15-20 cm.         -   Average leaf width.—Average 5 cm.         -   Shape.—Oblanceolate.         -   Leaf aspect.—Slight downward curve. Strong undulation             occurring at mid point, and/or apex.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Leaf internode length.—Approximately 2 cm to 2.5 cm.         -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous.         -   Appearance of top surface.—Matte.         -   Appearance of bottom surface.—Matte.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near R.H.S. Green 137C.             Young foliage under side: Near R.H.S. Yellow-Green 146C.             Mature foliage upper side: Near R.H.S. Green 137A. Mature             foliage under side: Near R.H.S. Yellow-Green 146D. -   Venation:     -   -   Type.—Pinnate.         -   Venation coloration upper side.—Near R.H.S. Yellow-Green             N144D.         -   Venation coloration under side.—Near R.H.S. Yellow-Green             N144B. -   Petiole:     -   -   Average length.—Approximately 6 cm for mature foliage.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.6 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B.

FLOWER

-   Inflorescence type and habit: Typical mango panicle/bunch.     -   -   Number of fruit per inflorescence.—Some inflorescences don't             set fruit. Those that do have varying numbers of fruit from             1 to 6.         -   Inflorescence length.—25 cm.         -   Inflorescence diameter at the widest point.—13 cm.         -   Inflorescence rachis color.—Near RHS Greyed-Yellow 160B.         -   Mean number of inflorescences per tree.—60.         -   Mean number of flowers per inflorescence.—From five hundred             to one thousand individual blossoms per inflorescence.         -   Date of first full blooms.—Late March to early April. -   Individual flowers:     -   -   General.—Individual blossoms are minute.         -   Diameter of open flowers.—When fully open, approximately 7.5             mm.         -   Percent hermaphrodite flowers per             inflorescence.—Approximately 40%.         -   Percent male flowers per inflorescence.—Approximately 60%.         -   Floral fertility.—Normal, the subject tree is self-fertile.         -   Petals.—Number of petals per flower: 5. Petal size: Length:             0.1 mm. Diameter: 0.02 mm. Petal texture: Slightly             pubescent. Petal shape: Ovate. Petal color: Upper surface:             Near RHS Yellow 13D. Lower surface: Near RHS Yellow 13D.         -   Sepals.—Number of sepals per flower: 5. Sepal size: 0.1 mm.             Length: 0.05 mm. Sepal texture: Densely pubescent. Sepal             shape: Ovate. -   Rachis:     -   -   Length.—Average 15 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average 0.6 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B.         -   Strength.—Very strong.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens: Shaped like small filaments.     -   -   Stamen number in hermaphrodite flowers.—5.         -   Filament length.—0.05 mm.         -   Filament color.—Near RHS Yellow-White 158C.         -   Anther length.—0.05 mm.         -   Anther shape.—Ovate.         -   Anther color.—Near RHS Yellow 10D.         -   Pollen color.—Near RHS Yellow 10A.         -   Pollen production.—Moderate. -   Pistils:     -   -   Pistil number.—1 per flower.         -   Pistil shape.—Elliptic.         -   Length.—0.2 mm.         -   Ovary number.—Single.         -   Diameter of ovary.—0.05 mm.         -   Ovary color.—Near RHS Yellow 10D.

FRUIT

-   Harvest time: Fruit mature in late October to early November. -   General fruit characteristics: Mature fruit elongated and     yellow-orange in color with a rich red blush. -   Fruit yield: Approximately 80 fruit on a 18 year old tree, in a     non-commercial setting. -   Shipping and keeping characteristics of fruit: Excellent shelf life     of two to three weeks if cold storage of 50° F. is used. -   Mature fruit:     -   -   Length.—16 cm.         -   Width.—8 cm.         -   Shape.—Elongated.         -   Cross-sectional shape.—Oval.         -   Average weight.—16 to 20 ounces.         -   Stalk cavity.—Slightly recessed.         -   Skin texture of mature fruit.—Smooth and glossy.         -   Main color.—Base color near Yellow Orange 23A and 23B, both             colors present. Blush color near Red 42A.         -   Percentage of blush covering of fruit.—80% to 90% covered,             when fruit grown in full sun.         -   Skin thickness.—Approximately 1 mm.         -   Adherence of flesh to skin.—Skin adheres strongly to flesh.         -   Lenticel spotting.—Infrequent. Approximately 1 mm diameter,             colored near Orange-Red 30D.         -   Fruit flesh texture.—Soft, juicy with very little fiber.         -   Fruit flesh color.—Near R.H.S. Orange 25A. -   Seed and endocarp:     -   -   Endocarp surface.—Rough texture, somewhat fibrous.         -   Endocarp surface color.—Near RHS Yellow-Orange 20C.         -   Endocarp plus seed dimensions.—Endocarp: 8 cm by 4 cm, seed:             5 cm by 2.5 cm.         -   Mean weight.—2 ounces.         -   Mean length.—9 cm×4 cm.         -   Seed color.—Near RHS Yellow 10C.         -   Seed size.—5 cm×2.5 cm.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: This mango variety has shown very good     resistance to fungal diseases. No other disease problems have been     observed to affect this variety. -   Temperature tolerance: This variety has been unaffected by Winter     low temperatures of 28° F. to 30° F. in the growing area. This     variety has also survived temperatures recorded at 26° F. for up to     eight hours with some frost damage to foliage and small branches. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Mangifera plant named ‘301215THOM’ as herein illustrated and described. 